Following the recent full council meeting of Bude-Stratton Town Council, the Pitch and Putt Pavilion on Summerleaze Downs has officially been recognised as a community building going forward, changing its purpose solely from a sports pavilion.

The Pavilion will continue to provide toilet facilities for users of the Pitch and Putt course and croquet lawn, and any other immediate users.

Following this decision, the council also agreed to enter into a new 12-month lease with The Pearl Exchange, from the end of April 2022.

The Pearl Exchange offers workshops, free counselling and mental health support for 18 to 30 year olds in Bude and the surrounding areas. It has been running for less than two years, but has already received recognition much further afield for the work it is doing.

Within the agreements of the lease, The Pearl Exchange will be able to operate seven days a week, from 9am to 9pm, and can also hire out the building to other community groups, with prior approval from the council.

Mayor Amanda Tame commented: “We are delighted to welcome The Pearl Exchange back for another year. They have been doing such important work for Bude’s young people, and they continue to go from strength to strength.

“What they have achieved in the last two years is really amazing — especially when you consider the restrictions COVID-19 has put on them. And so, as a council, we support them completely and wanted to offer them the security of another year, to really build on what they have so successfully started.

“Of course, as a council we also recognise that the Pavilion is a community building for all. The Pearl Exchange now has the opportunity to welcome other local groups to share its space, and we’re looking forward to the next 12 months to see how we can all work together.”